Published Friday, 18 April, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Building blocks to new jobs in Currumbin Valley
A Gold Coast special school will be given a new lease of life and a fresh coat of paint under a $168,000 State Government funded Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
The upgrade work – to include renovations to the huts and surrounds at Currumbin Special School Farm in Currumbin Valley – will improve the school’s capacity to host weekend and holiday camps, while providing 12 paid on-the-job training placements for long-term, disadvantaged job seekers.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the benefits of the $167,980 project, funded under the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, are two-fold.
“This project especially will give participants an immediate sense of achievement and pride as they build the skills necessary to employers and industry, as well as provide great new facilities for the school,” Mr Mickel said.
“The State Government assists long term unemployed and disadvantaged job seekers to participate meaningfully in the workplace through programs under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.”
“Unemployment is at a low 3.5 per cent in Queensland, which is a great tribute to the success of such initiatives.”
Currumbin Special School Farm provides an alternative education program for students with behavioural problems.
The upgrades will allow it to expand its services and will also include landscaping and construction of an undercover area.
Community Support Agency Business Development Manager Kevin Davies said the 12 participants will come from southern Gold Coast areas where unemployment rates are higher than the state average.
“This upgrade project will allow many of the participants to dust off the cobwebs and re-engage with the workplace for the first time in a long while, building confidence and self esteem while working towards a worthy cause.”
“They will also learn valuable skills in basic construction, renovation and landscaping – gaining a safety Blue Card along the way – which will help them re-enter the workforce or pursue further training and education.”
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving assistance 67 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Community Support Agency Business Development Manager
Kevin Davies 5522 0802 or KicBDM@Kings.net.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir 3235 4060
April 18, 2008
The upgrade work – to include renovations to the huts and surrounds at Currumbin Special School Farm in Currumbin Valley – will improve the school’s capacity to host weekend and holiday camps, while providing 12 paid on-the-job training placements for long-term, disadvantaged job seekers.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the benefits of the $167,980 project, funded under the State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, are two-fold.
“This project especially will give participants an immediate sense of achievement and pride as they build the skills necessary to employers and industry, as well as provide great new facilities for the school,” Mr Mickel said.
“The State Government assists long term unemployed and disadvantaged job seekers to participate meaningfully in the workplace through programs under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.”
“Unemployment is at a low 3.5 per cent in Queensland, which is a great tribute to the success of such initiatives.”
Currumbin Special School Farm provides an alternative education program for students with behavioural problems.
The upgrades will allow it to expand its services and will also include landscaping and construction of an undercover area.
Community Support Agency Business Development Manager Kevin Davies said the 12 participants will come from southern Gold Coast areas where unemployment rates are higher than the state average.
“This upgrade project will allow many of the participants to dust off the cobwebs and re-engage with the workplace for the first time in a long while, building confidence and self esteem while working towards a worthy cause.”
“They will also learn valuable skills in basic construction, renovation and landscaping – gaining a safety Blue Card along the way – which will help them re-enter the workforce or pursue further training and education.”
During 2007/08 the Queensland Government will invest $80 million in the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative to give an estimated 17,000 long-term unemployed and underemployed people job related assistance and skills training to maximise labour force participation and increase Queensland's prosperity.
Twelve months after receiving assistance 67 per cent of participants are in employment or further training.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st Century.
For more information on the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative visit www.employment.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 925
Contact: Community Support Agency Business Development Manager
Kevin Davies 5522 0802 or KicBDM@Kings.net.au
Ministerial contact: Nathan Moir 3235 4060
April 18, 2008